#177 — Psychedelic Science

Sam Harris speaks with Roland Griffiths about the current state
of research on psychedelics. They discuss the historical
prohibition against their use; the clinical and scientific
promise of psilocybin, mescaline, LSD, DMT, MDMA, and other
compounds; the risks associated with these drugs; the role of
“set and setting”; the differences between psychedelics and drugs
of abuse; MDMA and neurotoxicity; experiences of unity,
sacredness, love, and truth; the long-term consequences of
psychedelic experiences; synthetic vs natural drugs; the
prospects of devising new psychedelics; microdosing; research on
psilocybin and long-term meditators; the experience of
encountering other apparent beings; psilocybin treatment of
addiction; and other topics. In his Afterword, Sam discusses his
experience on a large dose of psilocybin—his first psychedelic
experience in 25 years.


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